Difference between whiskey and vodka

Strong alcohol in Russia accounts for 70-75% of all consumption. But if earlier vodka was the absolute leader, then in recent years its share has slightly decreased due to cognac, whiskey, rum and tequila. True, not everyone still knows the difference between imported alcohol and native vodka. To fill this gap, I propose to compare whiskey and vodka according to the most important indicators.

1. Technology

Vodka is a mixture of rectified (well purified) ethyl alcohol and water. Fortress 40 degrees. In some varieties of vodka, a higher strength and (or) the presence of aromatic additives is possible. Standardized technology has made it possible to establish production in many countries, but in the world vodka is considered a traditional Russian drink. In its pure form, it is drunk only on the territory of the former USSR. In Europe and the USA, vodka is considered an ideal base for cocktails, as it has neither smell nor taste.

Whiskey is an alcoholic drink made from barley, rye or corn, obtained by malting (germinating cereals), fermenting them, distilling the wort and keeping the finished distillate in oak barrels for several years. The fortress fluctuates from 40 to 60 degrees. The taste depends not only on the quality of raw materials, the skill of the distiller and the aging time in barrels are of great importance. Each region has its own requirements for production technology, there are no uniform standards. Whiskey is traditionally made in Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada and Japan.

Whiskey production technology is closer to moonshine, it is made from only a few types of cereals, which increases the cost. In turn, alcohol for vodka is produced from any food starch-containing raw materials, for example, potatoes, sugar beets, peas, etc. can be used in a mixture with grain.

2. Organoleptic properties

This refers to the color, smell and taste of the drink. Depending on the aging time in oak barrels, the color of the whiskey starts light yellow and ends with brown. The taste varies from viscous thick to light floral, this is influenced by raw materials and the region of production. The most “heavy” are the island Scotch whiskey, their second name is “scotch”.

Good vodka should be moderately strong, transparent, tasteless and odorless. Other requirements for its organoleptic characteristics are not provided.

3. Culture of consumption

In this aspect, vodka and whiskey are fundamentally different. In Russia, it is customary to drink vodka during a feast in large doses. Its taste is not important, the main thing is the result, a good snack and a cheerful company.

Whiskey is more suitable for alcohol connoisseurs who gather in a narrow circle in a calm, quiet place to spend time chatting or other interesting activities, such as playing cards. Whiskey is drunk from special glasses in small sips, trying to catch the peculiarities of aroma and taste. It is not customary to dilute or eat it, as this interferes with perception. After the tasting, whiskey is discussed, comparing the selected brand with others.

For large noisy companies whose members are not connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages, vodka is better. For a narrow circle of connoisseur friends, a bottle of good whiskey will help brighten up the rest, giving new tasting impressions.

4. Harm to health

There is no single opinion on this matter. One group of researchers believes that whiskey is more harmful than vodka, as it contains more third-party impurities, for example, essential oils that cannot be removed by distillation, and vodka is rectified, in which there is nothing but water and alcohol.

Their opponents refer to the work of Russian toxicologists under the guidance of Professor Vladimir Pavlovich Nuzhny, head of the Narcology Research Institute of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Scientists have come to the conclusion that in excessive doses, any alcoholic beverages are harmful, but vodka is the most harmful. The problem is precisely in the absence of third-party impurities. Because of this, the body does not immediately recognize the danger, starting to react with a delay, when the functioning of vital systems has already been disrupted.

Some microimpurities of the distillate partially protect the body from the effects of pure ethyl alcohol and, in small concentrations, can even be beneficial. It is known that cognac dilates blood vessels, and whiskey raises the tone. Other impurities, such as hydrocyanic acid and fusel oils in grappa (chacha), create an additional load on the body, they are harmful.

The same group of studies concluded that vodka has no equal in terms of the speed of development of physical dependence. With its regular use, alcoholism develops several times faster than from cognac or whiskey.

The conclusion is supported by statistics. In countries where distillates are preferred (cognac, calvados, whiskey, bourbon, etc.), these are Ireland, France and the USA, the number of alcoholics per 100 thousand inhabitants is much lower than where drinks from rectified ethyl alcohol are popular. Most of all, pure vodka is drunk in Russia, Ukraine and Finland.

5. Intoxication and hangover

Subjective indicators, depending on the individual characteristics of the human body, they are difficult to analyze. Theoretically, with the same amount of alcohol drunk, intoxication and the degree of a hangover are determined by the concentration of foreign substances in the drink. In this case, good vodka can be taken as a starting point, since it does not contain impurities.

But we know that, depending on the chemical structure, impurities in distillates can be beneficial or harmful. This means that the hangover from good whiskey will be less than from vodka, since the substances in it partially block the negative effects of alcohol. In the case of bad whiskey, the situation is reversed – a quick intoxication with a strong hangover the next day.

PS To drink vodka or whiskey, everyone decides for himself. In many ways, the choice depends on financial capabilities, the nature of the feast and the company. Both drinks in question have the right to be on your table. The purpose of this article was to show the difference between the two, not to determine which one is better.